Viral: These men have performed their own version of the tribal dance around the world (Image: Chronicle Live)

Former assistant coach of the Jarrow Vikings Rugby League team, John, said: “It was about eight years ago when me and George came up with the lyrics and since then the song has become a bit of a party piece.

“I have performed it in Dubai and it went down a storm there. I help out with the Dubai Marathon and we have a night out at a resort near the airport at the end and I stood on stage and did the Geordie Haka.

“Then in the Czech Republic, when I took the junior team over there, I got up in a restaurant and did it. Again it was well received.

Original: The rugby team have made the chant famous (Image: Barcroft)

“Closer to home it has been performed at parties and in the Schooner pub in Gateshead. When we did it in the pub, Fijian rugby player Tabua Cakacaka was playing for Gateshead Thunder and he did it first. Then we did the Geordie version. It was a kind of Haka-off, which went down great.”

Dad-of-two John 52, of Gateshead, who runs JPG First Aid and Safety Training Services, added: “The Geordie Haka has been performed many times and it is gets rounds of applause or people go into hysterics. It is always taken in good humour.”

The Haka is a type of ancient Maori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace.

Tradition: The lyrics have been changed a little in the Geordie version